I am pretty sure Uncle Bill told me my first dirty joke. I know he made me laugh. And I know he loves my aunt. Bill is my dad’s sister’s second husband. I never knew her first. Don’t need to. Bill has been perfect for her and therefore, perfect for me.
He is tough guy. I think this story illustrates his toughness as well as any. In his later years, he suffered many health setbacks. About 15 years ago or so, he had to use a cane to get around. One day he was emptying the coin machine at his carwash in the Knoxville area. Two men saw an easy mark and cornered him in the little closet in the car wash.
That was the worst mistake of their lives.
Soon both men were on the floor with drill holes in their chests and faces. Bill had grabbed a power drill and dropped them. Later on, we found out they were escaped prisoners from Florida. One was a murderer. Bill walked over their bodies and they went back to prison.
That was Bill. He doesn’t take grief off anyone.
Bill also shows me how to love someone. He adores my aunt. And as he became chair bound, she took care of him. They personified “for better or worse.” I don’t know how she did it sometimes. My aunt is as tough as Bill. And as loving.
As he became sicker, my sons didn’t know what to make of Bill. You would have a hard understanding him when he tried to talk. It frustrates him, too — his mind is as sharp as a tack. But I loved telling them Bill stories. They came to love their Uncle Bill. Because they knew my aunt loved him.
Bill died last night from lung cancer. It took him quickly — but its still hard for me to believe that anything could whip my uncle. But I’ll forever remember him for how he loved my aunt. His last gesture was to kiss my aunt on the cheek.
A tough man’s last tender moment. And then a love story ended.
I’ll miss you, Bill.